Background
Bartholomay, William C. was born on August 11, 1928 in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Son of Henry C. and Virginia (Graves) Bartholomay.
professional company executive
Bartholomay, William C. was born on August 11, 1928 in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Son of Henry C. and Virginia (Graves) Bartholomay.
Student, Oberlin College, 1946-1949; student, Northwestern University, 1949-1950; Bachelor, Lake Forest College, 1955.
In 1962 he was the leader of a consortioum who bought the Milwaukee Braves, a National League Baseball franchise, from the previous Braves owner Lou Perini. Despite the Braves success in Milwaukee, where the team had set league attendance records during the 1950s, Bartholomay was intent on moving the team to Atlanta, a growing regional center, where there was more television revenue, and where the new, 52,000 seat Fulton County Stadium had recently been built. Furthermore, Bill was an innovator and wanted to be the first man to bring a baseball team to the deep south.
After an extended legal battle with Milwaukee that kept the Braves in Milwaukee through the 1965 season, the National League agreed to the shift to Atlanta.
The case ultimately led to baseball"s guidelines on local ownership. Bill and Ted knew a baseball team and network deal would be a good way to market the Atlanta Braves on a national scale and provided programing for Ted Turner"s developing network.
Bartholomay agreed, and sold the controlling interest of the Braves to Turner of Turner Broadcasting System, Incorporated., and owner of Cable News Network, while retaining his interest as Chairman. Bartholomay is a Life Trustee of Illinois Institute of Technology.
Commissioner Chicago Park District, 1980-2002, Chicago Public Building Commission, 1989-2003. Board directors past trustee Chicago Maternity Center, Lincoln Park Zoological Society. Trustee Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology.
Past trustee Lake Forest (Illinois) College, Ogelthorpe College, Atlanta, Marymount Manhattan College, New York With United States Naval Reserve, 1951-1954. Member Chief Executives Organization, World President's Organization, Chicago President's Organization, National Association Chartered Life Underwriter, Chicago Association Chartered Life Underwriter, Chicago Club, Racquet Club, Saddle and Cycle Club, Economic Club, Onwentsia Club, Shoreacres Club (Lake Forest), Brook Club, Racquet & Tennis Club (New York City), Piedmont Driving Club, Atlanta Country Club, Peachtree Golf Club, Commerce Club, Old Elm, Pine Valley, Everglades Club.
Married Sara Taylor, 1950, (divorced 1964). Children: Virginia, William T., Jamie, Elizabeth, Sara. Married Gail Dillingham, May 1968 (divorced April 1980).